Travel – Hikes – Road Trips

Author: Brenice on Adventure

Noordhoek Beach is over 8 km long. At one end is Chapman’s Peak, and at the other, the Slangkop Lighthouse.

The town of Noordhoek can be accessed either from the scenic coastal road, Chapman’s Peak Drive, which leads out of Hout Bay or via the mountain road Ou Kaapse Weg, which cuts through Silvermine Nature Reserve, or past Cape Point Nature Reserve.

This walk will take about 40 minutes each way. From the parking lot on the Chapman’s Peak side of the beach, simply follow the boardwalk down to the sand and turn left. Towards the Kommetjie side of the beach you’ll find the shipwreck lying high and dry.

We started and ended our hike at the Slangkop Lighthouse parking lot outside the town of Kommetjie. We followed the boardwalk from there and then walked all along the beach to the Kakapo Shipwreck. Here we had a picnic before heading back. It is an easy almost 10km walk.

There are toilets on Noordhoek Beach and two streams to cross, so you might get your feet/shoes wet, depending on the time of year.

Other than the cold water, this beach is amazing, and is home to horses, dogs, walkers, runners, sea birds and surfers.

The Slangkop Lighthouse is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse along South African coastline. Construction was due to be completed in 1914 and a brass sign was commissioned for this date, but due to the First World War the lighthouse wasn’t completed until 1919, although definitely in use before that date. The lighthouse became fully automated in 1979, but is still one of the few lighthouses in the world to be manned by a lighthouse-keeper. Visiting hours with a minimal entrance fee: – Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, with an half hour break between 12.00 and 12.30 pm. Closed over weekends and public holidays. In May 1900, a steamship, named the Kakapo, (after a parrot found in New Zealand), was on her maiden voyage from Wales to Australia. After leaving Table Bay Harbour a north westerly gale had picked up and with visibility impaired by strong winds and rain, the captain mistook Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point, and the Kakapo ran ashore on Noordhoek Beach. No lives were lost as the crew of twenty managed to scramble ashore. All attempts to pull the vessel off the beach failed. Today all that is left of the Kakapo are its boilers and what is left of her hull poking up through the sand.

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We took the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, Whitbey Island. There is a ferry every 30 minutes and the crossing took 20 minutes. We paid $10.60 for our vehicle and 3 people.

Once there, we filled up on gas.

We leisurely drove around and stop when we saw something interesting and beautiful like this beach full of driftwood.

Next stop was the Fort Casey State Park. Inside the park is picnic areas, a camp site and a scenic trail.

The century old Admiralty Head Lighthouse with its Spanish style is not a working lighthouse anymore, but is open to visitors to learn more about it’s history.

The US Army constructed Fort Casey and 2 other forts as part of a new defense system. The forts protected the naval shipyard and towns of the Puget Sound. Soldiers were stationed here from 1899 to 1945. Many of the steel guns were mounted on disappearing carriages, which lowered the guns out of sight when not in use.

Next stop was the lavender fields at Lavender Wind Farm. The farm offers a stunning view of the Olympic Mountain.

After spending some time amongst the lavender, we had a lunch break at Oak Harbor.

I spotted a few interesting statues here.

Our next stop was Deception Pass Bridge with it’s amazing views.

And then it was time to go home… with beautiful memories of lovely day.

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A beautiful hike through the forest to view the Big Four Mountain and caves beneath the snow.

Location: North Cascades – Mountain Loop Highway

Lengh: 2.2 miles, round-trip

Difficulty: Easy

Driving directions :

From 1-5 in Everett, take exit 194 for Snohomish /Wenatchee, then take exit 204 for Lake Stevens. Turn left after 2 miles onto highway 9/9N Granite Falls, then onto Quarry Road. At the stop sign turn left onto the Mountain Loop Highway. Continue until you get to a signpost for the Ice Caves Trailhead. Here you will find a parking lot and toilets, as well as a self service pay station for a Northwest Forest Pass, which is required for the trail.

Start at the parking lot and follow the the pathway through the woods.

There is a aluminium bridge over the Stillaguamish River. The bridge was built to withstand flooding.

In a few steps you will cross Ice Creek, just before it flows into the Stillaguamish.

The path continues on a gentle upward grade through the forest.

Continuing on, the trail breaks out into an open meadow. Here you have a good view of the Big Four Mountain, ice caves and waterfalls.

The trail ends in a circle of rocks perfect for admiring the caves, mountain and waterfalls.

Beautiful flowers to admire along the way 🌻🌼🌸

Don’t go near the caves, it is very dangerous. People have been killed here.

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Hiking in a scenic environment with unique rock formations.

Paarl is named after its 3 unusual granite rocks – Paarl, Bretagne and Gordon Rocks – which date back more than 500 million years – the second largest granite outcrop in the world.

In 1657 Abraham Gabemma set out inland from Cape Town to search for new meat resources. It was after a rainstorm when he saw a mountain in the distance, with a giant granite rock which glistened like a wet pearl in the sun. He named the mountain “Peerleberg” (Pearl Mountain), which later became Paarl Mountain and the town that evolved at its base was named Paarl.

The town of Paarl is about 60 km from central Cape Town along the N1 Highway. Take the Paarl Main Road turnoff from the N1 (exit 55 for R45), continue for about 1,5 km and turn left onto Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, a gravel road. The road was opened in 1928 and was built by Jan Philips, a well-known wagon builder. Follow the road up the mountain until a T-junction, where one turns right towards the Millwater (Meulwater) Wild Flower Garden and picnic site. You can park your car here and start exploring. No entrance fee from here.

There is a number of trails criss crossing the reserve, ranging from 2.5 up to 10km. The most impressive is the hike up Bretagne rock, with chains to help you along. You can start your hike up the hill from the toilets in the braai area and follow the white painted foot prints. It should take you about 2 hours out and back, depending on how much exploring you do. Do wear shoes with a good grip and a warm jacket. It could be very windy on top of the granite outcrops. Bring water and snacks when entering from Meulwater as there is no shop.

We started our hike through the magical wild flower garden. The garden was established just before World War II, by the Paarl Beautifying Society.

After a rather steep walk we came to a gate and Jeep track which we followed for about 4 km, with proteas and fynbos to admire.

At the Paarl Rock view point, we headed towards Bretagne and Gordon Rocks. Bretagne Rock looked very intimidating, but I made it to the top with the help of chains. Impressive 360 degree views from here. We even saw Table Mountain. And 2 of the 3 dams, Nantes and Bethel, which form part of a historic water purification system, supplying water to the town of Paarl since the 1800’s. And it was picnic time!!

Gordon’s Rock is for the serious rock climbers!

After a slow decent we went to Paarl Rock.

Here the old cannon which was used to signal the arrival of ships in Table Bay harbour, can still be seen. This particular cannon was stationed on a lookout point on the western side of Paarl Mountain. Some time after the Battle of Blaauwberg (1806) the cannon was removed, and dragged with a team of oxen to its present position on Paarl Rock.

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I prefer to walk while exploring a new city. And this is what I did when I visited Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in November 2016. But it was hot, very hot. And the traffic was hectic. If I had to do it again I would most probably hire a tuk-tuk.

Here are a few sights of the city:

The Independence Museum: This 20 meter Angkorian style tower, shaped in the form of a lotus, was built in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia’s independence from France.

Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk: He was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2004, and was known as The King-Father of Cambodia. The same man that is featured on the Riel notes.

The Park in front of the Royal Palace.

A Mojito at The Foreign Correspondence Club overlooking the Tonle Sap River. Pulitzer Prize winner, Sydney Schanberg and Khmer Rouge survivor, Dith Pran both stayed at this Colonial Styled building, along with many other journalists, politicians and movie stars throughout the years.

A cow statue at Wat Ounalom. This Watt (temple) is the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism and was founded in 1443. It is located along the Sisowath Quay on the riverfront.

Monks – Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia which is practiced by 95 percent of the population. Throughout Cambodia, Buddhist monks are held in high regard, not only as religious leaders but for their traditional role of helping those most in need. Cambodia is a poor country. Choosing the life of a monk brings with it access to safe accommodation, food and education. Every Buddhist male is expected to become a “monk” for a short period in his life. This is seen as a rite of passage to adulthood. A small proportion of them will take forever vows and will become ordained monks.

Street Vendors – These are the seed pods from the lotus flower. The seeds can be eaten raw, dried or cooked. In the raw form it is delicious as a snack.

The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument – It was built in the late 1970s by thecommunistregime that took power after theCambodian-Vietnamese War, which overthrew theKhmer Rougeregime. The monument is located at the Botum Park not far from theRoyal Palace. It features statues of Vietnamese and Cambodian soldiers, together with images of a woman and baby representing Cambodian civilians.

Wat Langka – situated on the busy Sihanouk Boulevard. It is reputedly one of Phnom Penh’s five original Watts (1422). First established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, the Watt was named in honour of these meetings.

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I decided to travel by bus in Cambodia because:

Passenger train service was non-existed when I travelled, but there are now passenger trains running only on weekends and public holidays. Although plans are in the works for a country-wide network, the train service is currently limited to four destinations, running from Phnom Penh via Takeo and Kampot, terminating in Sihanoukville.

The bus was way cheaper than flying.

Interesting country scenery along the way.

Hassel-free border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam.

After some research I decided on Giant Ibis Bus Service. They offer rest room and restaurant stops along the way, free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets to charge your phone, air-con, complimentary pastries and water and a complimentary pickup service to passengers staying at one of their partner hotels.

Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Traveling time: about 5 hours, 30 min, price: $15. Departing 7H45, 8H45 and 12H30 pm. Night buses at 10H30, 11H00 and 11H30 pm. The bus will make its first stop about 160 km south of Siem Reap at Banyan Tree Restaurant, the exact half way point of the journey. The second stop is about 60 km north of Phnom Penh. Plenty tuk-tuk drivers at the bus stop in Phnom Penh to take you to your accommodation.

Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam does not offer Visa on Arrival. You must have your Vietnamese entry visa in your passport or you will not be allowed to board the bus. I arranged my Vietnam visa through Mad Monkey Hostel in Phnom Penh. I handed in my passport before 17H00 at the hostel and received it the next day after 17H00, $50.

The crew attendant will collect your passport once your on the bus. When the bus arrives as the border you will be required to get off the bus and get an exit stamp in your passport. The Crew Attendant will return your passport to you as you get off the bus and collect it from you again when you get back on.

After you’ve cleared Cambodian immigration, you will get on the bus again. The bus will drop you off at a restaurant in the duty free zone. While you enjoy lunch, the Crew Attendant will take your passports ahead to the Vietnamese immigration check point to start the process while you eat. When your Vietnamese visa has been processed, the bus will take you to the immigration check point. Here you will be required to retrieve your luggage for a scan by Vietnamese customs. Follow the Crew Attendant, pick up your passport from the immigration officer, scan your luggage, and return to the bus. There will be taxi’s at the bus stop in Ho Chi Minh City to take you to your accommodation.